Untamed Wilderness: an Expedition from Papua to Fiji

Small Pulau Mansinam lies in Doreri Bay opposite Manokwari and holds a special place in the history and identity of West Papua. It is often described as the cradle of Christianity in Papua: on 5 February 1855, German missionaries Otto and Gustav Geissler landed here, marking the beginning of Christianity’s spread across the region. A monument on the island commemorates this event, and the landing date is still observed as an important moment in local history. Beyond its cultural significance, Mansinam is also surrounded by reefs that shelter tropical fish and a wide range of marine life. The island’s story also connects strongly to World War II: between 1942 and 1944, the Manokwari area and nearby islands were used by Japanese forces as a strategic base to control sea routes between New Guinea’s northern coast and islands such as Biak and Numfoor, before becoming part of the Allied campaign to liberate western New Guinea

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers

Jayapura, Papua's provincial capital, serves as a base to explore the rugged Baliem Valley. Winding trails lead through verdant highlands to secluded waterfalls and saltwater springs. Traditional life endures in tribal villages hidden in the rainforest, featuring religious ceremonies or mock tribal wars. In Jayapura, museums recount the intense WWII battles, where Allied and Japanese forces clashed for control of the Pacific theatre

Wewak, East Sepik's capital, is a coastal gateway to the vast Sepik River, a winding lifeline through lush sago swamps, nipa palms and tranquil lagoons. Along its banks, stilted villages uphold vibrant traditions, from canoe travel to crafting intricate masks, wood carvings and towering Haus Tambaran spirit houses. Wewak also holds echoes of WWII history, with relics and the Cape Wom Memorial marking Japan’s surrender in Papua New Guinea

The Sepik River gracefully winds through rainforest and swampland, revealing tribal villages and stilt structures on muddy banks. In these homesteads, traditional ways of life persist with tribal ceremonies, spirit houses, and stories behind intricately carved masks and totems. Crocodiles, symbols of power, coexist with revered birds of paradise like Goldie's and sicklebills, punctuating the landscape with bursts of bright plumage

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers

Rabaul, the former capital of New Britain in Papua New Guinea's northeastern tip, is a town with a remarkable volcanic history. Situated inside a flooded caldera and near the active Tavurvur volcano, Rabaul has been rebuilt multiple times, including after the 1994 eruption. Its bustling markets, rich wartime heritage and a strategic harbour make Rabaul an intriguing destination. An observatory oversees the country's volcanic activity

Discover Buka Town, the administrative centre of Bougainville. Bougainville’s identity is strong and local, with many distinct languages and traditions, and a matrilineal culture where women are central to land and clan life. This is also a place in political transition. In the 2019 referendum, Bougainville voted overwhelmingly for independence, and might soon become the world's newest country

Njari is a tiny, uninhabited island off Gizo in the Solomon Islands, a strip of white sand and tropical foliage set in clear lagoon water. The surrounding reefs sit in the Coral Triangle, so the sea life here is often rich and close to shore. It is a quiet pause in the day, with a feeling of being far from everything

The capital of the Solomon Islands, Honiara sits on the northeastern coast of Guadalcanal at the mouth of the Mataniko River. A relatively new city, it grew up around a U.S. military base during and after WWII. In 1952 it superseded Tulagi as the premier city of these islands. Honiara’s U.S. War Memorial provides a comprehensive war-history lesson of the area. Today the town is laid-back and relatively tourist free with a real-life atmosphere

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers

Espiritu Santo is the largest island in Vanuatu, where dense rainforest meets luminous blue lagoons and long stretches of white sand. Known for its clear waters and quiet bays, the island offers a relaxed rhythm shaped by nature and local life. Inland, hidden freshwater pools and forest trails invite unhurried exploration, while along the coast, coral reefs and historic sites tell stories of both natural beauty and a layered past. Champagne Beach is a quiet, sheltered cove where pale sands meet clear, gently lapping water. Named for the soft effervescence created by waves moving over volcanic rock beneath the surface, the beach offers a calm, almost meditative setting

Ambrym Island is part of Vanuatu's Y-shaped, volcanic archipelago, spanning 1,300 km in the South Pacific. The fifth largest of Vanuatu's 80 islands, Ambrym features black-sand beaches and the awe-inspiring twin volcanoes of Mount Marum and Mount Benbow. Lush rainforest covers Ambrym, where villagers practise traditional magic and create renowned sand drawings. Kava, made from the root of the local plant, is the ceremonial drink

Sea days are rarely dull. Take the time to sit back and let the world go by. The ship’s observation decks provide stunning views of the passing ocean. A day at sea gives you the opportunity to mingle with other passengers and share your experiences of this incredible trip or head to our library which is stocked full of reference books. Get an expert’s view in one of our on-board lectures or perhaps perfect your photography skills with invaluable advice from our onboard professional photographers

Viti Levu is the largest island in the Republic of Fiji, and site of the nation's capital, Suva. Lautoka, Fiji’s second-largest city, is often referred to as ‘Sugar City’ because of its historical association with the sugar industry. The former Sugar Mill has been converted into an inviting museum, showcasing the rich history of Lautoka's sugar industry, the sugar production process and features vintage machinery